September 6, 2023 (Edward J Barr) – The Catholic Church in Rhode Island during my youth was a robust and ubiquitous reality. Rhode Island was the state with the largest percentage of Catholics. The Churches were bursting at the seams. Church bazaars, processions through the streets at many ethnic parishes, and a common culture of traditional Christian morality permeated the entire state. Priests were abundant, being an altar boy was a rite of passage, and parish life was rich and varied.
The highlight for myself and most of our peers was the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). I wasn’t a very devout kid, and the main reason I participated at first was because all the cute girls had joined. The priest that ran CYO was the youngest priest in the parish, Father Fred. He was an organizational genius, developing ways for our blue-collar parish kids to raise enough money to go on amazing trips. He would take us skiing in the winter and camping in the summer. The first time I every skied and water-skied were on CYO trips.
One memorable trip was a summer excursion to Nova Scotia. We were bused up to Portland, Maine, and took the ferry across the Bay of Fundy to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. To this day I remember the excitement of crossing part of the ocean and landing ashore in another country. I sliced my big toe water skiing that week, but that only enhances the memory. Yet the real reason why I will never forget that trip was the return boat ride. The Bay of Fundy has the largest tidal change in the world, the range between low and high tide can reach 53 feet. We hit some rough water that day, which was bad enough. Unfortunately, our teenage minds had plotted to acquire some alcohol and we succeeded. Seasickness and booze are a bad combination.
Father Fred and his chaperone assistants did their best to get us under control. When they did, and the seas and stomachs had equally calmed, we gathered for a final Mass before coming ashore in Portland. We weren’t bad kids, and everyone was contrite and remorseful about our behavior. Everyone was especially respectful during Mass. We all felt as if Father would chastise us during the homily, but he did something far more effective. He amazed us by relating a Eucharistic miracle that he experienced earlier in his priesthood. It displayed his humanity and the power of Christ’s love. I thought the story would be forever etched in my heart.
Alas, the world had other plans for my life, and soon the memories of Father Fred and that day faded; they were seemingly extinguished. I never abandoned the Church, but I never embraced it. Experience would inform me I needed to change something, but I listened to the culture. But I knew something was missing. When the Spirit moved me to start praying the rosary, I contemplated the life of Jesus with his mom. What is the truth of Jesus Christ? Is He who the Church says He is? Is He really present in the Eucharist? Thirty-five years after that CYO trip I heard the voice of my priest. The story of the Eucharistic miracle he experienced came alive. I had my answer.
I knew I had to find Father Fred. I had to tell him that he had made a difference in my life, and I wanted to thank him. He had moved to a new diocese, but my attempt to locate him proved fruitless. The chancery told me they had no such priest in the diocese! It didn’t make sense to me, but I was stymied. A few years later I decided I had to make another attempt to track down Father Fred. This time it was a success! Contact was made, and we exchanged letters.
Earlier this year we decided to return to Rhode Island for a family reunion in the summer. My wife and I agreed we should visit Father Fred, if possible. Yet, it had been 45 years since I had seen him. Things have changed. Rhode Island wasn’t the same. Yes, it still is the most Catholic state, but in name only. The faithful are few, and the number of priests fewer. Whereas my home parish had 4 masses on Sunday, today there is 1. What about the confusion in the Church? Had Father Fred become woke?
My wife and I pulled into the driveway of Father Fred’s home. He was sitting with his sister at an awning covered table outside his leafy New England home. Immediately, I saw the same smile and sparkling eyes that had endeared him to all the youth so many years ago. I was fifteen years old again, honored and awed at the beauty of this holy priest. We reminisced and discussed many of the miracles of our faith. Father Fred’s joyful spirit and fervent faith were inspiring! The holy connections were abundant, from another Eucharistic miracle Father experienced to our mutual love and devotion to the holy angels.
On our return drive my wife and I tried to comprehend what had happened that day. For us, it was a near mystical experience. It wasn’t a visit; it was a pilgrimage. Talking to Father Fred was like talking to a close friend, a spiritual advisor, a companion on our journey to heaven. We give praise to the Lord for Father Fred, who had instilled the Truth on my heart decades earlier. He is not simply the priest of my childhood; he will be my priest forever.
Opus Angelorum Crusade for Priests
Edward J Barr is a career intelligence officer. He consults with private sector firms and teaches in a master’s level intelligence studies program at a major US university. Ed earned a Master of Theology degree from the Augustine Institute and offers talks through The Gray Apostle website. His novel, “The Gray Apostle: Mission of the Messiah,” is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other bookstores. Mr. Barr is a contributing writer for the Roma Locuta Est blog (www.RomaLocutaEst.com)
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